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Cardinal Cupich’s Statements

Statement of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, on the Texas and Kentucky School Shootings

January 23, 2018

Yet again, we are brought to our knees in prayer and pain as we consider the horrors of gun violence—children struck down, apparently by other children—limitless potential cut short, families seized by grief. We used to call these heinous acts “unimaginable.” But we don’t need to imagine them anymore, because they happen every single day in America. And why? Yes, because we lack a health-care system and culture that adequately support those who need psychological treatment. But also because in the United States it is all too easy to carry out mass shootings with high-powered artillery designed to kill human beings. We will continue to pray for the victims at Marshall County High School in Kentucky, and at Italy High School in Texas, and on the streets of our cities. We will hold their loved ones in our hearts. We will entreat God to bring them some measure of solace. But every day we fail to hold our elected officials accountable for our nation’s weak gun-safety laws, we fail our children and condemn them to a life marked by violence that could have been prevented. How many children have to die before we find the political will to do something about it?

For the Spanish version of the statement, please click here.